Linux Gizmos has an end of year list of 40 Linux-friendly hackable SBCs.
Over the last year we’ve seen some new quad- and octa-core boards with more memory, built-in WiFi, and other extras. Yet, most of the growth has been in the under $50 segment where the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone reign. Based on specifications alone, standouts in price/performance that have broken the $40 barrier include the new Odroid-C1 and pcDuino3 Nano, but other good deals abound here as well.
The guidelines for the boards selected are designed to ensure these platforms are hacker friendly.
The SBCs on our list are all shipping, even if only recently. They must offer open source Linux and/or Android OS images, or offer links to other free sources. The projects must offer schematics and other hardware reference materials for at least most of the board’s features and components. (For example, in the case of the increasingly common “sandwich-style SBCs,” which consist of a COM+baseboard combination, the baseboard schematic should be readily available for free download and application-specific modification.) At a minimum, licensing should enable third parties to build products at least for small runs of non-profit applications.
Originally spotted on LWN.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by novak on Thursday January 01 2015, @11:18PM
There's not a whole lot of info on each board, as you might expect when listing 40 different ones. It does not have much info on what each one is capable of. I'd at least like to see a comparison that at least shows the I/O that each one has, and the CPU. Preferably, I would also like info on what if any binary blob firmware/drivers are required.
Still, I suppose it's heartening to see all the options out there for playing around with.
novak
(Score: 3, Interesting) by frojack on Thursday January 01 2015, @11:28PM
Every product has direct links to a specific story and the product page. Don't know how much more you were expecting.
My Raspberry Pi, is still sitting in the corner, waiting for me to find something interesting to do with it. Most of these product don't have much draw for me, mostly because I can't figure out what I would use them for.
The USB Armory looks equally interesting for hacking and defensive products.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 02 2015, @02:26AM
So where can I find a board with 2+ ethernet ports, ideally PoE powered? There are plenty of chips that support 2 or even up to 8 ethernet ports, but I can't find a cheap SBC with 2+ ethernet ports. Which is a shame considering that there is plenty of cheap routers around.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday January 02 2015, @03:47AM
Reflash an existing router?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by frojack on Friday January 02 2015, @07:54PM
So where can I find a board with 2+ ethernet ports, ideally PoE powered? There are plenty of chips that support 2 or even up to 8 ethernet ports, but I can't find a cheap SBC with 2+ ethernet ports. Which is a shame considering that there is plenty of cheap routers around.
http://www.bananapi.com/index.php/component/content/article?layout=edit&id=59 [bananapi.com]
Its about $80. Android.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6DB29F2479 [newegg.com]
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Informative) by kaszz on Friday January 02 2015, @03:55AM
As another SN article [soylentnews.org] on reverse engineering [bunniestudios.com] pointed out. You have to watch out for:
* Requirement to load a manufacture supplied binary blob, often to boot at all.
* Microcontroller or processor that will only run signed binary code.
* Proprietary protocols to re-flash new firmware or install new operating system.
* Lack of schematic documentation.
* Tie-ins or phone-home in the developer tool chain.
* Unusual connectors that you can't just order anywhere.
* Documentation on hardware APIs so you can write your own drivers.
If the board passed these disruptions. Perhaps it's open source and tinkering friendly.